1.) Is the Fraternity a Muslim or religious fraternity?
No. In fact the Fraternity consists of Brothers from many different religions and also no religions. We have Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, bros that are just spiritual, atheists, etc.
2.) Is the Fraternity anti-white, anti-Western? Hell no. We're just pro-consciousness. Overall, just pro humanity. Peace, Love & Happiness for all people, regardless of race, culture, ideology, etc. We love everyone.
3.) What do you feel about people of color joining greek fraternities and sororities in the 21st century? Saddened. But hey... everyone has a right to do what they want...
4.) Do you paddle, beat or brand yourselves? Hell no. Our ancestors unfortunately had to endure that awful period in human history.
Q & A of Brother Azikiwe:
1.) Are you "anti-Greek"?
Yes.
I am anti-Greek letters being worn on people of color - especially from those that profess being conscious. I'm especially more critical of us (MALIKs) more than I am of "Black and Latino Greeks" (but I still hold them accountable too). FACT: Any brother of MALIK Fraternity that wears Greek letters on their chest possesses a (conscious or unconscious) affinity to American collegiate Greek-life culture. I'll dumb it down for those that still don't understand: basically they are wanna-be Greeks. Why is this bad? Because the same time they wear the Greek letters, MALIK's profess that they are not Greek. I know...insanity. They have this weak, tired, old and watered-down talking point that; "Greek culture actually came from Africa". Afrocentrizing Greek culture and Greek letters to justify their deep-down affinity to wear Greek letters on their chest to "fit-in" and be a part of the Greek collegiate system. Total hypocrisy and bafoonery. Phuck - just go pledge Greek. I'm serious. You know that's what you really want... So man-up and do it - don't infest MALIK Fraternity: the ONLY African/Latino/Indigenous Fraternity in the world with your cultural insecurities and Greek wanna-be agenda.
Now White/Western people wearing Greek letters, that's fine. No problem. That's their culture. They are celebrating their culture and history. Cool. But when I see people of color wearing Greek letters... I am saddened. I say to myself, the West has really done a number on my people. Got fools running around aspiring to be Greek. We have Black, Latinos, Arabs, Asians, Indigenous people from all parts of the world running around in the 21st century, post-civil rights/consciousness era in college clueless. Lost. And in colleges/universities of all places! This is where cats are supposed to find themselves and hone in on their self-identity and knowledge of self. This is the place where you sharpen your intellectual skills to take back to your community and use throughout your life. Wtf. I always think of Dr. Kenneth Clark’s Doll test when I see people of color aspiring to and wearing Greek letters. It’s simply a Greek/White envy thing - a subconscious inferiority complex. And yeah, yeah, I know all the tired arguments/excuses from people of color that wear Greek letters:
"Well its what you make of it"
"We are not actually Greek, just Greek-lettered"
"But we do a lot of positive"
"Its harmless, just a college fraternity/sorority. Just having fun"
Its tradition, its just the way things are"
"Its just greek letters - I know who I am. No one can define me"
My response to all that blah is: "Exactly - so why are you clinging so hard to the Greekness?" No matter what they say, deep down its simply Greek/Western/White envy. But hey... if cats want to aspire to and wear Greek letters, by all means... but I'm truly saddened by it.
2.) The Name Change Question
A dear and respected older fraternity brother of mine asked me a great question "Atul, is this (critique) all because of your legacy? i.e. the name change". Without the slightest hesitation I replied with a crystal clear “No”. The name change was done, because it had to be done. The name change was inevitable. It would have happened with or without me. When I was a pledge and thereafter many MALIK brothers kept saying the name would eventually change someday. Years later, still the same talk. So when?! When will the time ever be right for a name change?! Just like physical slavery, the U.S. was not ready to free the slaves in 1860's. People were not ready to abolish Jim Crow laws in the 20th century. Just like racism in 2008, many said "we're not ready for a Black president". So when is the time right for change?! Never. There is never a "right" time for change. It just has to be done - once and for all. And when it happens it will be difficult. Many will be resentful. Wounds take years to heal. But it is done for the betterment of humanity. It's the right thing to do. Look, I don't care who's name goes with the name change. Erase my name from the MALIK history books and say "[insert any name here] did it". I don't care. I only care that it had to be done and that people understand the importance of why it had to be done. It was done to better ourselves, our mission, and our people.
3.) What do you feel about Brothers wearing "M" "Sigma" "Psi" paraphernalia today on undergrad campuses and/or in the community?
Wanna-be Greeks. Pure and simple. They will attempt to explain it away i.e. "I'm paying homage to our history" or "these are actually all African letters". Puh-leeze. Spare me the melodrama and excuses. It's simply because they envy Greek letters and want to wear them. Personally I love our history and I love Malik Sigma Psi but you don't see me wearing or promoting the greek letters. Wearing all African/Indigenous letters ('MALIK') makes a new and bold statement to the world, more accurately representing our people and mission. On the other hand, wearing Greek letters just goes along with all the other thousands of greek-lettered fraternities and sororities.
4.) Do you have love for the name "Malik Sigma Psi"?
Of course I do. Always & Forever. That's our foundation and history (and proud of it). But my concern is that the history and progression of the fraternity must be correctly taught. The community/public has about 3-5 seconds to make a judgment of someone. So when cats wear 'Malik Sigma Psi' on their chest (no matter the sincere intention), the public largely sees three greek letters (Mu Sigma Psi). Real talk. Just looks like another of the thousands of greek-lettered college fraternities/sororities in the U.S. On-lookers, (if interested) will then aspire to pledge Greek. Now if that dynamic is changed and our reality matches our rhetoric and we choose to instead be identified and labeled as wearing 'MALIK' on our chests... then yes... we just changed the entire game "always and forever". The public will then think "those are not Greek letters, so how are you still a Fraternity?" Now that's when we plant the seed of truth and consciousness. Young people in the community and on college campuses will begin to admire MALIKs (if they are doing what they are supposed to) and aspire to be MALIK rather than Greek. You bring in what you market. You market the frat as "semi African-Greeks", that's exactly what you'll get. Bunch of confused "Graficans" (lol - Graficans). You market the frat as "MALIK", then there is no room for interpretation - it clearly reflects and makes a bold game-changing new statement. That we are straight up a different, one-of-a-kind, and truly conscious collegiate-based fraternity in the world.
When a MALIK walks in the community, people will remember that orange and black MALIK on the chest. But if cats prefer to wear Greek letters, you are only promoting and co-signing cats to aspire to be Greek... What would Malcolm do? And if any MALIK dare say "that the Malcolm ish does not fly in area (XYZ), then my response is simple: "What the phuck are you doing in this frat?! Get eff outta hear and go pledge some Greek ish. Don't try and bring or make MALIK into your Greek-envy world. Again, you're in the wrong fraternity - just accept it, and pledge Greek. You know that's what you really wanted all this time... Greek... I'm tired of these Greek wanna-be's in the frat. Cats don't know anything about MALIK. It's sad and I'm done dealing with it. When MALIK starts practicing what they preach, I'll return. [2014 Update: the greek wanna-be elements within MALIK indeed followed this advice. Thank the universe!].
5.) Is it hypocritical that MALIKs claim non-Greek today, but in the past had Greek letters? No - If MALIKs understand and practice what they preach. MALIKs today are in a great position because they can tell and show the world that they have progressed intellectually and ideologically. MALIKs can say "yes, we had Greek letters at one time, but realized a larger calling and responsibility to ourselves and our people. We made a conscious decision and voted to remove the Greek letters from our name, because it was in the better interests of our people". No other college fraternity has successfully done that and is active today. None! We have showed that it can be done - that Indigenous college fraternities can and will exist. Yes - If MALIKs revert back to wearing/using 'Sigma' & 'Psi'. Then MALIKs have truly learned nothing and is truly a fraternity that is based on rhetoric and no action - hypocrites.
6.) What do you think about one of the principle co-founders of the Fraternity: Larry B. Martin?
He is a great brother and a trailblazer. The King In I Salutes the King In Him.
7.) What do you think about all the Founders of the fraternity in general?
They are all great brothers. For without them, I would not be a MALIK today. The King In I Salutes the King In All of Them.
8.) What is your vision of MALIK Fraternity?
My opinion is that the fraternity largely does not realize the awesome potential it has. When the Fraternity as a finally taps into it, it will be awesome entity: it will be "more than just a fraternity, but a movement". It will invoke and spur consciousness on college campuses, the community, the workplace... all over. My vision is for MALIK Fraternity and every MALIK to practice what they preach and to become a truly successful Afrikan/Latino/Indigenous fraternity that truly "shakes up the world for the better".
The Conscience of MALIK Fraternity:
Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
1.) Is the Fraternity a Muslim or religious fraternity?
No. In fact the Fraternity consists of Brothers from many different religions and also no religions. We have Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, bros that are just spiritual, atheists, etc.
2.) Is the Fraternity anti-white, anti-Western?
Hell no. We're just pro-consciousness. Overall, just pro humanity. Peace, Love & Happiness for all people, regardless of race, culture, ideology, etc. We love everyone.
3.) What do you feel about people of color joining greek fraternities and sororities in the 21st century?
Saddened. But hey... everyone has a right to do what they want...
4.) Do you paddle, beat or brand yourselves?
Hell no. Our ancestors unfortunately had to endure that awful period in human history.
Q & A of Brother Azikiwe:
1.) Are you "anti-Greek"?
Yes.
I am anti-Greek letters being worn on people of color - especially from those that profess being conscious. I'm especially more critical of us (MALIKs) more than I am of "Black and Latino Greeks" (but I still hold them accountable too). FACT: Any brother of MALIK Fraternity that wears Greek letters on their chest possesses a (conscious or unconscious) affinity to American collegiate Greek-life culture. I'll dumb it down for those that still don't understand: basically they are wanna-be Greeks. Why is this bad? Because the same time they wear the Greek letters, MALIK's profess that they are not Greek. I know...insanity. They have this weak, tired, old and watered-down talking point that; "Greek culture actually came from Africa". Afrocentrizing Greek culture and Greek letters to justify their deep-down affinity to wear Greek letters on their chest to "fit-in" and be a part of the Greek collegiate system. Total hypocrisy and bafoonery. Phuck - just go pledge Greek. I'm serious. You know that's what you really want... So man-up and do it - don't infest MALIK Fraternity: the ONLY African/Latino/Indigenous Fraternity in the world with your cultural insecurities and Greek wanna-be agenda.
Now White/Western people wearing Greek letters, that's fine. No problem. That's their culture. They are celebrating their culture and history. Cool. But when I see people of color wearing Greek letters... I am saddened. I say to myself, the West has really done a number on my people. Got fools running around aspiring to be Greek. We have Black, Latinos, Arabs, Asians, Indigenous people from all parts of the world running around in the 21st century, post-civil rights/consciousness era in college clueless. Lost. And in colleges/universities of all places! This is where cats are supposed to find themselves and hone in on their self-identity and knowledge of self. This is the place where you sharpen your intellectual skills to take back to your community and use throughout your life. Wtf. I always think of Dr. Kenneth Clark’s Doll test when I see people of color aspiring to and wearing Greek letters. It’s simply a Greek/White envy thing - a subconscious inferiority complex. And yeah, yeah, I know all the tired arguments/excuses from people of color that wear Greek letters:
My response to all that blah is: "Exactly - so why are you clinging so hard to the Greekness?" No matter what they say, deep down its simply Greek/Western/White envy. But hey... if cats want to aspire to and wear Greek letters, by all means... but I'm truly saddened by it.
2.) The Name Change Question
A dear and respected older fraternity brother of mine asked me a great question "Atul, is this (critique) all because of your legacy? i.e. the name change". Without the slightest hesitation I replied with a crystal clear “No”. The name change was done, because it had to be done. The name change was inevitable. It would have happened with or without me. When I was a pledge and thereafter many MALIK brothers kept saying the name would eventually change someday. Years later, still the same talk. So when?! When will the time ever be right for a name change?! Just like physical slavery, the U.S. was not ready to free the slaves in 1860's. People were not ready to abolish Jim Crow laws in the 20th century. Just like racism in 2008, many said "we're not ready for a Black president". So when is the time right for change?! Never. There is never a "right" time for change. It just has to be done - once and for all. And when it happens it will be difficult. Many will be resentful. Wounds take years to heal. But it is done for the betterment of humanity. It's the right thing to do. Look, I don't care who's name goes with the name change. Erase my name from the MALIK history books and say "[insert any name here] did it". I don't care. I only care that it had to be done and that people understand the importance of why it had to be done. It was done to better ourselves, our mission, and our people.
3.) What do you feel about Brothers wearing "M" "Sigma" "Psi" paraphernalia today on undergrad campuses and/or in the community?
Wanna-be Greeks. Pure and simple. They will attempt to explain it away i.e. "I'm paying homage to our history" or "these are actually all African letters". Puh-leeze. Spare me the melodrama and excuses. It's simply because they envy Greek letters and want to wear them. Personally I love our history and I love Malik Sigma Psi but you don't see me wearing or promoting the greek letters. Wearing all African/Indigenous letters ('MALIK') makes a new and bold statement to the world, more accurately representing our people and mission. On the other hand, wearing Greek letters just goes along with all the other thousands of greek-lettered fraternities and sororities.
4.) Do you have love for the name "Malik Sigma Psi"?
Of course I do. Always & Forever. That's our foundation and history (and proud of it). But my concern is that the history and progression of the fraternity must be correctly taught. The community/public has about 3-5 seconds to make a judgment of someone. So when cats wear 'Malik Sigma Psi' on their chest (no matter the sincere intention), the public largely sees three greek letters (Mu Sigma Psi). Real talk. Just looks like another of the thousands of greek-lettered college fraternities/sororities in the U.S. On-lookers, (if interested) will then aspire to pledge Greek. Now if that dynamic is changed and our reality matches our rhetoric and we choose to instead be identified and labeled as wearing 'MALIK' on our chests... then yes... we just changed the entire game "always and forever". The public will then think "those are not Greek letters, so how are you still a Fraternity?" Now that's when we plant the seed of truth and consciousness. Young people in the community and on college campuses will begin to admire MALIKs (if they are doing what they are supposed to) and aspire to be MALIK rather than Greek. You bring in what you market. You market the frat as "semi African-Greeks", that's exactly what you'll get. Bunch of confused "Graficans" (lol - Graficans). You market the frat as "MALIK", then there is no room for interpretation - it clearly reflects and makes a bold game-changing new statement. That we are straight up a different, one-of-a-kind, and truly conscious collegiate-based fraternity in the world.
When a MALIK walks in the community, people will remember that orange and black MALIK on the chest. But if cats prefer to wear Greek letters, you are only promoting and co-signing cats to aspire to be Greek... What would Malcolm do? And if any MALIK dare say "that the Malcolm ish does not fly in area (XYZ), then my response is simple: "What the phuck are you doing in this frat?! Get eff outta hear and go pledge some Greek ish. Don't try and bring or make MALIK into your Greek-envy world. Again, you're in the wrong fraternity - just accept it, and pledge Greek. You know that's what you really wanted all this time... Greek... I'm tired of these Greek wanna-be's in the frat. Cats don't know anything about MALIK. It's sad and I'm done dealing with it. When MALIK starts practicing what they preach, I'll return. [2014 Update: the greek wanna-be elements within MALIK indeed followed this advice. Thank the universe!].
5.) Is it hypocritical that MALIKs claim non-Greek today, but in the past had Greek letters?
No - If MALIKs understand and practice what they preach. MALIKs today are in a great position because they can tell and show the world that they have progressed intellectually and ideologically. MALIKs can say "yes, we had Greek letters at one time, but realized a larger calling and responsibility to ourselves and our people. We made a conscious decision and voted to remove the Greek letters from our name, because it was in the better interests of our people". No other college fraternity has successfully done that and is active today. None! We have showed that it can be done - that Indigenous college fraternities can and will exist.
Yes - If MALIKs revert back to wearing/using 'Sigma' & 'Psi'. Then MALIKs have truly learned nothing and is truly a fraternity that is based on rhetoric and no action - hypocrites.
6.) What do you think about one of the principle co-founders of the Fraternity: Larry B. Martin?
He is a great brother and a trailblazer. The King In I Salutes the King In Him.
7.) What do you think about all the Founders of the fraternity in general?
They are all great brothers. For without them, I would not be a MALIK today. The King In I Salutes the King In All of Them.
8.) What is your vision of MALIK Fraternity?
My opinion is that the fraternity largely does not realize the awesome potential it has. When the Fraternity as a finally taps into it, it will be awesome entity: it will be "more than just a fraternity, but a movement". It will invoke and spur consciousness on college campuses, the community, the workplace... all over. My vision is for MALIK Fraternity and every MALIK to practice what they preach and to become a truly successful Afrikan/Latino/Indigenous fraternity that truly "shakes up the world for the better".